Mr. Ribbons looked at me with a serious expression on his round reddish face. Thick brown hair was hanging down on his forehead as it always did.
- "Well, I have this case," he said tentatively, "that I might need some help with, but I'm not yet quite sure I should pass it on."
I raised my eyebrow. That was a line I hadn't expected.
- "Why's that?" I asked and took a better position in the chair.
- "There's a complication. Someone I know might become involved."
- "Enough reason to hush it down?"
- "Not if my acquaintance is quilty. Otherwise, well.."
- "Discretion needed?" I looked straight into his grey eyes.
He frowned for a moment, opened his mouth to say something, but then just nodded.